Surprises around every turn…. Part three of four parts
Skyline Drive
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
The next morning we decided to head out towards Charlottesville and James Madison’s Montpelier. We decided to take a long ride through the Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive. This is a 105 mile ridge drive through the Shenandoah National Park with 75 overlooks that give you a view of not only the Blue Ridge Mountains but woods and farmlands. The highest peak is Hawksbill at 4051 feet. The official ground breaking for the construction of this drive was July 18, 1931. The final construction was completed in 1939.
View from 3400 feet
Skyline Drive
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
The views are just breath-taking. We stopped a few times to take pictures, but mostly to marvel at what a beautiful land this really is. As we drove up into the mountains, the air became cooler, getting down to 71 degrees. Wild flowers were abundant and birds were flying over and around our car. There is a place towards the top center of this drive called “Big Meadow”. To our surprise, you come over the hill and all of a sudden you are in a huge meadow on top of this mountain. There is a lodge there for the public to stay in. They also have camping and cabins along the route. You can hike and picnic as well. There are several waterfalls that you have to hike to and you do have to be cautious of the wildlife. This is black bear country. As we were driving along, we came across two rangers who seemed to have been tracking something. One of them was carrying a rifle. But we didn’t see what they were looking for.
Skyline Drive
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Lewis Mountian Campgrounds
Skyline Drive
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Skyline Drive
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Skyline Drive
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
We jumped off onto Route 33 at the 65 mile marker so we didn’t take the whole 105 mile drive. One thing, there is a cost to take this drive. At this time, it is $15.00 for a car. I am not sure about other transportation. It is also closed after the first of November until the following spring as they get snow in this area.
As we headed towards Montpelier, we passed through a couple small towns. I was taking notes of their location as there were a lot of antique stores along the way. I see a future trip to go antique shopping! We drove to Gordonsville, Virginia, just a few miles from Montpelier. We have been here many times and know of a great BBQ place to eat called “The BBQ Exchange”. We stopped for a quick bite and started towards Montpelier.
Montpelier
James Madison’s home in Virginia
As we drove in, we realized that we only had a couple hours before they closed for the day, but I wanted to go back to get recharged. When we came in, they had a tour group around in the video introduction, so we asked if we could forego the video, since we have seen it before, and jump into the group when they were ready to move to the house. While we waited, we were treated to costumes from a PBS production about Dolley Madison. What style she had!
Dolley Madison Costume
Montpelier
James Madison’s home in Virginia
Dolley Madison Costume – Back view
Montpelier
James Madison’s home in Virginia
Dolley Madison Costume
Montpelier
James Madison’s home in Virginia
Dolley Madison Costume
Montpelier
James Madison’s home in Virginia
Dolley Madison Costume
Montpelier
James Madison’s home in Virginia
In the Gallery, I walked around and looked at personal items from the Madisons and was surprised by a picture of Nelly Conway Madison. It was a 3D relief of her that I had not seen before. As I stepped back into the lobby, Brett pointed out on a timeline covering Madison’s life, the part about Nelly Conway Madison going back to Port Conway to give birth to James.
James Madison Timeline
Montpelier
James Madison’s home in Virginia
We jumped into the group and headed towards the house. Once on the grand porch, we were greeted by a docent who would lead us through the house. Brett and I have been here so often that I think I could get a position as a docent to lead tours! But the best part is that each docent brings a different take on the history. Our docent, Joann, was warm and would quiz us on the history. Does it surprise you that I got all but one question right? I missed the one on how many grandchildren Nelly had. She had 48 grandchildren.
View from the front porch
Montpelier
James Madison’s home in Virginia
Front door – main entry
Montpelier
James Madison’s home in Virginia
Close up of Front Door
Montpelier
James Madison’s home in Virginia
Nelly Conway Madison’s Front Door Entry
Montpelier
James Madison’s home in Virginia
We started in the sitting room on Nelly’s side of the mansion as we always do, but this time, they had added a different twist. They spoke about a relationship between James and a young slave boy. As we walked into the parlor, I got to see the beautiful wallpaper that I have come to love about this room. It was added after our second visit. I had thought that it would be a beautiful covering for the walls in Belle Grove, but at $360 per 11 foot roll, I don’t think we will be able to do it.
Madison Damask
French or English circa 1800-1815
Adelphi Paper Hangings
From there it was on to the dining room and then the library where they had added some curtains and other items to the rooms. As we walked into the side room just behind the dining room, we got the best surprise! This room was used by James Madison during the last years of his life. Unable to go upstairs, he had slept here and received guests here and worked on his final papers here. When we were last here, it had been empty with the exception of a bust of Madison. Not wallpaper or curtains were in the room. This time, it had wallpaper, curtains and furniture! And the best part was the bed! It was a white French canopy with burgundy curtains. Joann explained that this was similar to the bed that James Madison had in the room. Brett and I were floored! It looked so regal, so presidential. It must have been suddenly very bright in the room as both Brett and I had the same idea. We had always thought of placing a bed similar to the dark walnut Tester bed that had been the Madison’s bed upstairs. But this bed made a statement and Brett and I heard it so clear!
View from the upstairs library
where James Madison wrote
the Constitution
We followed the group upstairs to the upstairs library located just above the front door. This is the room that James Madison spent his time in working out the Constitution. It is such an awe inspiring thought to know that we are in the room that the majority of this documented was created. To see out of the windows the view that James would have had and to wonder what he was thinking as he crafted one of the most important documents of our history. I still get chills thinking about it.
View of the front lawn from the balcony over
Nelly Conway Madison’s Rooms
We then moved to the balcony that is on top of the Nelly’s rooms. There you can see the front lawns, the slave quarters which are being rebuilt and the backyard with the statue of the Madison and walking garden just beyond. As I started taking pictures of the front lawn, a large bird appeared and flew over and above the trees beside the Temple. I then turned to the slave quarters only to see a single deer quietly eating grass under a tree. It was just a “wow” moment.
View of the Slave Quarters from the balcony over
Nelly Conway Madison’s Rooms
View of the Madisons from the balcony over
Nelly Conway Madison’s Rooms
View of bird looking over towards the Temple
from the balcony over Nelly Conway Madison’s Rooms
View of the side yard and deer from the balcony over
Nelly Conway Madison’s Rooms
Brett pointed out to me that the railing of this balcony had the same style railing as Belle Grove’s riverside portico had. It was like a small connection to Montpelier in a way. Then as we finished the tour we talked with a couple of other tourist and two of the docents. It was funny that one docent looked at our picture of Belle Grove and made an observation that if you removed the porches and portico from both Montpelier and Belle Grove; the structures would look very similar. When Brett and I had drove in earlier we had made that same observation.
Montpelier and Belle Grove railings
But Brett and I couldn’t get that bed out of our thoughts. So we asked if one of the docents could take us back to see it again. Standing there, we tried to memorize each aspect of it. Now we are on a conquest to see if we can find one just like it for the Madison room at Belle Grove.
After seeing the bed again, we thanked Joann for her time and headed to the walking garden. This garden was put in during the DuPont’s time at Montpelier. It was in full bloom and just stunning. I found points that I want to add to Belle Grove’s walking garden from this garden.
Detail over Garden Gate
Montpelier
Garden Gate
Montpelier
Garden Lion
Montpelier
Garden
Montpelier
Garden
Montpelier
Garden
Montpelier
Garden
Montpelier
Afterwards we headed back to the car. We had one last stop to make before headed out. I wanted to stop at the Madison Cemetery. Nelly Conway Madison is buried here, but there is no tombstone marking her place. She is just to the right of Madison’s large tombstone. I just wished I had had flowers to place there for her. The cemetery was empty and as I walked in you could hear the birds. But it was strange, just as I got to the spot where Nelly is, I softly started talking to her. I was telling her that I hoped she would have been pleased with what we were doing with Belle Grove and that I hoped we were doing what was right in her eyes. It was then that I realized that it was perfectly silent. The birds that had been singing when I arrived had stopped. It was perfect still. I then walked around a moment to observe the other tombstone and made one last stop at Madison’s tombstone. There on the stone were rocks, a penny and a note left by others.
Madison Cemetery
Montpelier
Nelly Conway Madison’s Unmarked Grave is just to the left of the Madison Monument
Madison Cemetery
Montpelier
James Madison’s Monument
Madison Cemetery
Montpelier
Dolley Madison’s Monument
Madison Cemetery
Montpelier
As I headed back to the car, my thoughts turned back to our Belle Grove. There is so much history, so many memories there. I just hope we are doing right by it all. What an honor and awesome responsibility to have. My hope is that future generations will come to understand the lives of these people and the struggles and hardships that they went through to build our great nation. We have so much yet to do and much more farther to go.
Montpelier Temple
This is really a well-disguised Ice House!
As we started to drive out, I asked Brett if he wanted to stay in Orange, Virginia one more night or if he wanted to head back. He felt the need to get home. I could have stayed another month and it would have not been enough. But we headed home. But it was a good thing that we did. Because the best surprise was yet to come….
The Story Continues Tomorrow…
The Best Surprise is the one you don’t see coming!
So beautiful I can almost feel as if I am there, and the silence when you talked to Nellie…wow..Thanks so much for sharing this with us. Blessings – Patty
Thank you! It was such a special moment standing there in front of Nelly grave site. It was almost like they were all listening. I almost wanted to cry.
Oh wow brought back memories, I used to drive to Shenandoah all the time, I remember it well. Montpellier is beautiful, those costumes are amazing as is the grand house. Beautiful pictures, I just love it.
Thank you! We love going to Montpelier. We were just talking about our annivesary in October and about where we want to go for that week. The funny thing is we ended up back at Montiplier again.
We love the Skyline Drive. One advantage of being ‘senior citizens’ is that our Pass allows us to drive through the Shenandoah National Park without charge. I can see we are going to have to make it to Montpelier the next time we are in the area.
Nice! I would love to drive through often! I would highly recommend Montpelier. It is really worth the visit.
I want Dolly Madison’s clothes! Especially the white outfit. So pretty!
Can’t wait for part 4!
I loved those costumes! I would love to have some like them too!
Nice work, again. As always!
Thank you! More to come!
So many beautiful places! thanks for the post.
You are so welcome! We love sharing our adventure no matter where it takes us!
i felt like i was there walking by your side. i loved everything you said and each photo!
You were there! As I take pictures I think about what I want to share with each of you! Thank you so much!
you are welcome
Another great post. Looking forward to reading number four.
Thank you! It’s there for you to read! It was the best part!
The last photo looks like the fountain at UNC Chapel Hill. Totally uneducated and clueless observation but I thought I’d add that.
I have never seen the fountain there. But if it looks like this one, it is really beautiful! I love your observations! Keep them coming! 🙂
Thank you for all the likes … This is quite breath taking
You are so welcome! Thank you! It was when we were there too!
I so believe in animal symbolism…..the bird flying over the temple, and the deer? I think Nelly’s spirit was there, as was James.
Beautiful photos and history.
You know it was my thought too! You know as I have been doing the research and finding answers and uncovering history, I like to think that the past families are pleased with my efforts. Back in March, as I was walking around the plantation, looking for artifacts. To that point, I had not found any. But in my heart I was hoping for a dish shard. Low and behold, there on the top of the ground as a blue and white shard. Then a second later, another! I looked up and said “Thank you”. Since then, when I am at the plantation walking the ground, I tend to find at least one piece. I told Brett it is from the families as a way to show me that they are pleased. I know it kind of weird, but that is how I feel.
What a neat place – I’ll have to put it on my list of places to visit one day! I love Dolley’s clothes, and I loved that garden lion! Thanks for sharing!
You are so welcome! We have visited this place so many times! I told Brett that they are going to ask us not to come back again. Brett laughs when we take the tour of the house. I know the history so well that I sit there and want to correct the docents as they talk. Brett says we go back to harass the docents now. haha Not really. I just don’t like it when they give history that is not correct. Just like this time. The docent never said that James wasn’t born at Montiplier. To me it leaves the tourist to believe that he was born there.
You made me feel like I was right there with you, great writing up of a place I’d love to visit one day…
You are so welcome! You were there with me! Everytime I take pictures and make notes, I think about what I want to share with each of you! Today we are going antique shopping! 😉
When I first visited the USA in the late 1970s ,I was enthralled by the stories about Dolley Madison. It was like a home coming to read your blog and see some of the clothes she might have worn.I love reading your information about the historical homes. Best wishes with bringing your dreams to fruition
Thank you and you are so welcome! We love to share this adventure with everyone! The costumes were so great! I could see us wearing them at the plantation some day!
Take time someday to do the entire Skyline Drive. It’s wonderful.
As to your surprise, you’ve certainly got me on the edge of my seat.
We are thinking about traveling back in October for the fall colors. You don’t have to wait anymore. It’s posted!
[…] Part Three […]
Part four tonight!
What a fabulous post with beautiful images, great travel log and a wonderful story to go along with it. And the timing couldn’t be more perfect since I have a photo shoot assignment next month in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Thank you!
Wow! That is great! The Blue Ridge is so beautiful! You should make plans to go back in October too! The fall colors are to die for! Thank you!
Now I’m dying to see that bed! What a great trip.
(Also, I think you might have a typo on the picture of the temple.)
Thank you! I was typing late into the night trying to get it finished. I wanted to share the picture of the bed the docent let us take but I had to promise not to share it. I got it for our reference only. You will have to go see it at Montiplier!
What they all already said. 🙂
🙂
I am hoping to come back tomorrow and read that your surprise is that you have gotten all your permits!
Thank you for all the wonderful photos and history.
Some of the photos did not post. But there were enough – Thanks again.
Thank you! No the surprise comes in tonights posting. I wish we had all the permits.
Great post. They are always wonderful to read. Montpelier is definitely on my go to list. Thanks for sharing!
On a side note, Adelphi Paper Hangings makes wonderful wallpaper. I toured where they make it for a class one day a few years ago. Such a neat process to watch the block printing, and there is a book binding place upstairs too.
I would love to visit Adelphi Paper some day! I just wish we could afford the paper for the house! Maybe one day. But $360 per roll is a little to costly for us right now.
A beautiful article about Virginia and its historic surroundings. I have travelled through Virginia and the Blue Ridge Mountains by Amtrak Union Pacific Railroad from Washington, D.C.
The Blue Ridge is just so beautiful. Brett and I have seen it in both North Carolina and Virginia. I bet taking a train was so great!
Several years ago the hubby and I traveled Skyline Drive and onto the Blue Ridge Hwy. just as the leaves were beginning to change … it was beautiful! I believe we must do it again and this time visit Montpelier 🙂
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